The Science of Loving (11 page)

“There’s my baby. I’ve missed ya.”

I couldn't help it. Tears started spilling down my cheeks at the sight of him, and his happiness changed to concern. “Oh Daddy, something horrible’s happened.”

“Come, sit and tell your old man. You know there’s nothing I can’t fix.” His standard response to my troubles only made me cry harder. He was as predictable and constant as gravity, and in that moment, I needed his comfort as much as I needed my next breath.

“Do you think we could go somewhere else? I don’t want Mom to know I’m here. I can’t handle her right now.”

Even though his lips thinned and his eyes got flinty, his voice remained soft like always. “Don’t worry about your Mom. She’s been gone all week. Said she needed a few days at the spa. Now, tell me what she’s done.”

Snuggling into his chest, I wiped my nose on his shirt. It’d always been like this between us. I couldn't count how many shirts I'd baptized with snot and tears in this garage. Daddy was my port in the storm, my safe haven. I’d tasted my first beer sitting on this sofa. I was fourteen and I’d just received a perfect score on my SATs, so Daddy said we had to celebrate. I lost my virginity to a creep named Eddie Chapmen in this garage. Our moms were—I wouldn't call them friends, more like allies with a common agenda—and when Daddy came home, he helped me through my first broken heart.

After my crying changed to shuddering hiccups, Daddy got up and grabbed a couple of beers, and a rag from the clean bin. After sitting back down, he held his arm open again so we could snuggle while I wiped my face. “I met a great guy.”

“Now, I can see why you’re sobbing.”

“Oh, Daddy.” I gave him a watery smile. “His name’s Mat. He’s beautiful and confident and successful. And for some unfathomable reason he wants to spend time with me. He took me to the alumni mixer last Saturday. He was a big hit. I didn’t realize it at the time, but apparently, he’s a big wind in the architectural world. Mom was there of course.” I drank some beer. Daddy didn't say anything. He just waited, letting me gather my thoughts. “Well, she did her normal thing where I’m concerned. My clothes, cars… You know how she can be.” He nodded. “I guess it offended Mat, because he told her how wonderful I was then dismissed her.”

“Ouch.”

I nodded. “After the mixer, a bunch of us, my boss and his friends, went to this really cool bar Mat likes. Mom showed up too.” I nodded at his surprised look when I added. “They’ve got all these beers with funny names from all over the world… I didn’t know what to choose so, Mat offered to order for me. Well, there was this beer on the menu called, Old Engine Oil Black Ale. I think he ordered it because he knew I liked working on cars… He ordered that and—oh wait, I need to back up for any of this to make sense.” He smiled, waiting patiently.

“I met Mat the night before at his sister’s. I told you about her; she’s the tattoo artist. So the night before the mixer, Danny, that’s her name, had a party, and she mixed these drinks called blowjobs. They’re really good… sweet.” Although, Daddy raised his eyebrows, I could tell he was amused. “Well, when I mentioned the mixer, Mat sorta volunteered to be my date. I guess Danny decided I needed a make-over because she came over and made me beautiful.”

“Baby, you’re always beautiful.”

I took a cleansing breath ignoring his compliment. I knew if Daddies didn’t to say things like that, they’d go to hell. “So back to the bar—Mat ordered me the Engine Oil Beer and a blowjob. He was just playing.” I felt my chest getting tight as tears started again. “And Mom… and Mom said, ‘
red dresses and blowjobs, is there something you’re not telling me?’
Bob Tate was sitting right next to me.”

Daddy seldom got angry, but right then he was livid. His face was red and I'd never seen his eyes so cold. “Please don’t be mad, Daddy,” I whispered.

“Oh honey, I’m not angry with you. But your mother has gone too far this time.”

“That’s what Bob said. I guess Mat thought so too because he told her off and made her leave.”

“You know, I think I’m going to really like this Mat.” He might feel differently, if he knew Mat liked feeling me up in public.

“Mom hates him. What am I going to do?”

“About what?”

“Mom… Mat.”

“Let me worry about your mom.” He brushed the tears from my cheeks. “Only you can decide if this Mat fella is right for you.”

I packed methodically—anally according to Danny, the queen of chaos—arranging everything in the back of the Lexis so I could easily load the girls’ stuff on top then drove to Danny’s. Other than exchanging a few brief texts, I hadn’t heard from Angie all week and I hoped Danny could give me a heads-up.

I walked in on Danny straddling Brett, her boy-toy
du jour
, sucking face. “Oh, God, my eyes are bleeding! Shit.” I turned around, hoping I wouldn’t have nightmares.

“Serves you right. If you knock next time, your delicate sensibilities won’t be violated.”

“I did knock, is it safe to turn around?”

“Safe is a relative term. If by safe, you mean am I done orally exploring Brett’s facial orifice, get it? Or-i-face?” She snickered. “Then yes, it’s safe.”

I turned around and glared at Brett, pretending I was pissed just to yank his chain—hey, big brother—it was my duty to fuck with Danny’s boyfriends, not only that, it was fun.

“Hey Mat.” Brett was looking kinda green. It suited him.

“Would you mind explaining yourself?” I growled, crossing my arms over my chest, flexing a little. Poor guy looked ready to bolt. He wasn't so bad really, so I let him off the hook. “I’m just fucking with you. How ya doing?”

He relaxed. “God, you scared the shit out of me.”

“Yeah, it’s a gift.”

“I hate breaking up this bromance, it’s so touching.” Danny wiped a crocodile tear from her eye with her favorite finger. “But that gear won’t pack itself.”

“So pack.”

“Okay.” She bounced off.

“What? No… Wait… Stop… Shit.” Although, most of the time I was easy going, there were certain things I was particular about. Organization was one of them, and Danny was chaos incarnate.

I found her waiting next to my car. “Lucky for you, it’s locked”

“Isn’t Brett coming?”

“Naw, says Mom freaked him out last time. Something about g-spots and full body orgasms.” Danny grinned.

“Yeah, that’d do it.” I grinned back.

“Where’s your tent?”

“Lent it out. Sharing with you Biggie.”

“What? Uh-uh, no way. You and me, creepy but doable. Angie and me, hell yeah. You, me and Angie? Cock-blocking, hell no!”

“You’ll get over it. No one’s ever died from blue balls. It’s common misconception, ask Mom.”

“Enough with the gross anatomy.” I fitted the last of her gear in the back. “Do you want to say bye to Brett?”

“No, but I can wait if you guys need a moment.”

“You think you’re so funny.” I grabbed her in a headlock, dragging her around the car to the passenger door. She was still grinning when I climbed behind the wheel.

“So have you heard from Angie?” I asked casually.

“Yeah, I talked to her last night, she said her mom’s giving her the silent treatment and it’s freaking her out.”

“I just don’t know what to do about that.” This whole mom situation was a ticking bomb. I knew it was only a matter of time before she did something so over the top, I’d go bat-shit crazy on her ass, and Angie would be stuck squarely in the middle.

“I say we cut the bitch.”

“I like the way you think, but her head would probably just grow back, two even.”

We were just going up the walk when Angie’s hotrod pulled up. “I’m so sorry I made you wait. I was talking to my dad, and it took longer than I expected.”

“No bigs,” Danny said. “We just got here.”

I searched Angie’s face; obviously she'd been crying. When she turned away, trying to hide her swollen eyes and tear reddened cheeks, I palmed her head; cradling her against my chest as my other arm banded around her middle, molding her to me. I rocked, comforting her with my body. She drew in a shuddering breath, sliding her arms around me as Danny and I traded confused glances over her head.

After several seconds she stiffened, pushing away. “I’ll just get my stuff.”

“Score! I think I’ve permanently corrupted you,” Danny said with forced cheerfulness. “I’m so proud.” She was checking out the grocery bag Angie’d handed her while I wedged Angie’s backpack into the back.

Okay, now I had to check it out. “Gotta love a beautiful woman that likes blowjobs.”

I opened the doors for the girls, glad to see a little color return to Angie’s cheeks as I snapped her seat belt—Danny was on her own. I didn't say anything when I got in; I just gave Angie’s thigh a brief caress then dropped the car into gear. Catching Danny’s eye in the rearview mirror, I shook my head when I saw her getting ready to pounce. Angie was already stressed out enough, and I figured over the next three or so hours we were trapped in the car, we’d get our answers. Because sure as the sun rises, we weren’t gonna let it go.

So while Angie stared out the window, worrying her bottom lip, Danny chafed in the back seat with unasked questions, and she was ready to erupt by the time we pulled into the Walmart parking lot. Mom waved as we pulled alongside their camper. I’d called her earlier, giving her a heads up regarding Angie’s shyness, but one look at Angie’s face had Mom yanking open the car door and dragging her to her bosom.

“Oh
mija
, come here.” Mom looked from Danny to me Angie while stiffly endured her embrace.

“Don’t know.” I mouthed.

My Dad, never one to miss a good hugging, strolled over and wrapped his arms around them both. After a moment’s hesitation, Danny and I shared a look, and joined in to get our hug on. What can I say; we’re huggers. The poor girl was surrounded by a pride of James’ with no escape in sight.

“Okay,” Dad said several seconds later. “Now that we’ve gotten that out of our system, let’s give the girl some air before she faints.”

As we untangled from our huddle, I began making introductions. “Ange, this is my mom, Carmen and my dad, Stewart.
Mami
, Dad, meet Angie, Angelina Martin, who is now probably wondering what sort of psychotics she’s gotten mixed up with.” Angie smiled awkwardly.

“Bah, Matty, there’s no better introduction than a hug.” Mom still had an arm around Angie and punctuated her statement with another squeeze as Angie’s wide-eyed stare begged for rescue. I grinned at her encouragingly, but no way was I risking life and limb coming between my Mom and her waif.

“Okay, let’s move out people.” Danny clapped then twirled a hand in the air, throwing it forward like this was an episode of
Wagon Train
. “Let the wild rumpus begin.”

Dad smiled at Danny indulgently, giving Angie one last pat before heading to their camper. Mom followed after, but not before delivering the, you-better-get-to-the-bottom-of-this-or-I-will, look.

It only took about twenty minutes of silence for Danny to crack. “Arrrgh… I can’t take it anymore. Angie what’s the matter?”

“Yeah, sweetheart, who’s ass needs kicking, and more importantly, what I can kiss to make it better?”

“I’m all right, I just needed to talk to my dad and get some things off my chest.” Shit.

“Actually, I’d just as soon not kick your dad’s ass, but I will if you want me too.”

“No, I’d rather you didn’t. He’s a big help. He always makes me feel better.”
Oh sweetheart, if this is better, you must've had a hell of a week.

“Fine, let’s focus on the kissing then.” Danny began loudly smacking her lips.

Finally, a genuine smile flitted across Angie’s face. “I’d rather not, if it involves the both of you. ‘Cause that’s really disconcerting.”

I leaned my head back against the seat, closing my eyes as we followed Mat’s folks out of town. I could've died when I saw Mat and Danny already waiting in front of my place. I knew what he saw: Red nose; swollen, puffy eyes; clothes all wrinkled and limp. I didn't do that pretty movie cry, tears artfully trailing from mournful eyes. When I cried, it was a train wreck and real life ugly. I took a deep breath remembering Mat’s scent. God, he smelled so good I wanted to bury my nose against his skin and never come up for air.